Chapter 40: CH 40

Qiu Luo revealed it as if he was revealing the mystery of the universe.

He had hoped that Sang Wan Ci would realise Lu Zhi Wei’s true motives, realise that she was taking advantage of their shared gender and put a stop to it.

But Sang Wan Ci just…… raised an eyebrow.

She wasn’t shocked, she wasn’t outraged, she was surprisingly calm.

Sang Wan Ci even thought that Qiu Luo had filmed too many dramas until he had become dumb.

Lu Zhi Wei was her true love fan, if she didn’t like her, what sort of true love fan was that? More like a fake fan.

“You……”

Qiu Luo’s expression showed his confusion, as he faltered.

“Don’t have anything to say?”

“What is there to say?” Sang Wan Ci asked.

Qiu Luo felt like an idiot under her calm gaze.

This matter had progressed further than he had expected.

He took a sip of coffee to calm himself down and gather his thoughts, before continuing: “Do you really understand what I’m saying?”

Sang Wan Ci looked at him strangely then asked: “Isn’t it very normal for her to like me?

“Don’t you have female fans who like you too?”

Qiu Luo: “Exact —— Mm? Female fans?!”

I’m talking to you about someone liking you, but you think it’s just as a fan???

Sang Wan Ci looked at his expression and misunderstood it as him thinking the example wasn’t right, so she changed the gender: “Male fans, in your case.”

To her, Lu Zhi Wei was like what male fans were to Qiu Luo, she was comparing their ability to attract fans of the same gender.

In this day and age, who didn’t have male and female fans?

What sort of big secret was this?

Qiu Luo: “……” Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

It turns out we’re not even on the same wavelength…… It’s truly a miracle to be able to hold a conversation.

“You’re mistaken.” Qiu Luo’s expression was one of speechlessness. “I’m not talking about the liking a fan has towards their idol, but the sort of like between a man and woman, do you understand?”

Sang Wan Ci: “……?”

Qiu Luo inhaled, his face stern.

“That’s right, she likes you. That’s why she can get closer to you each time by using the fact that she’s also a woman, to confuse you and make you treat her nicely. These are the tricks of a lesbian!

“Wan Ci, those involved are easily blinded to the truth while bystanders can see clearly. As an involved party, it’s very normal that you haven’t realised it.

“I’m telling you this, because I’m worried you’ll be fooled.

“Now that you know, you should quickly distance yourself from her before she finds an excuse to do even more outrageous stuff to you.”

Every word was infused with worry for Sang Wan Ci.

Every inflection in his tone carried his concern and protectiveness for her.

Almost as if nobody else in the filming crew would be better towards her than him.

Sang Wan Ci: “……”

Qiu Luo narcissistically swept his hair back: “What is it, are you surprised by my attentiveness?”

Then he continued, with warm eyes: “Or are you scared by Lu Zhi Wei’s ulterior motives?

“Ah, our Wan CI is just too kind, or else how would this sort of person like Lu Zhi Wei have an opportunity to strike?”

Sang Wan Ci, who had been staying silent all along, finally lifted her eyebrows.

They started knitting together gently, as she tapped the coffee mug with her fingertips.

What sort of person was ‘this sort of person’?

How was her true love fan ‘this sort of person’?

Sang Wan Ci looked at Qiu Luo as she thought, her eyes glimmering with unhappiness.

Qiu Luo thought she was unhappy about Lu Zhi Wei, so he reached out a hand slowly towards hers and was prepared to hold on to it and give her a sense of security.

“It’s okay, I’m here, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

—— He was very dependable, please rely on him, no need to be polite.

Unexpectedly, Sang Wan Ci avoided his hand.

“You should be thankful this cup of coffee is hot.” Sang Wan Ci said expressionlessly.

“?” Qiu Luo was confused. “Why?”

“Because if it was cold, it would be on your face right now.”

“???”

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Lu Zhi Wei had nothing to do, so she was sitting in her hotel room and watching the moon.

It was rare that she had a day off tomorrow, so she planned to sleep later tonight.

As if giving her some respect, the moon tonight was bright and round, like a glowing pearl in the middle of the dark sky.

“Lao Wu.”

She suddenly spoke.

Hearing that, Lao Wu who was currently busy with the system stopped typing: 【What is it?】

Lu Zhi Wei was suddenly curious: “Do you think the system will start giving me missions to aggravate Qiu Luo?

“Like…… When I was made to help take food for Wan Ci in front of Xiao Ying?”

She felt that aside from interfering with friendships developing, this system was a professional at taunting others.

If not for the fact that Ying Xi Ze was still like his character in the original script, it would be a miracle if he didn’t hate her.

Lao Wu thought about it, then shook his head: “【I’m not sure either.】

Qiu Luo had dropped from the male lead to the supporting male lead. This detail wasn’t in the original script and it was completely an accident.

He was now in a new role that was forcibly added into the world.

So it was still unknown if he could be evaluated by the system and added into missions like the rest of the characters were.

Speaking honestly, there were too many unknowns in this new world……

Lu Zhi Wei “oh”-ed.

Of course, if there weren’t missions, that would be best.

If there were, she had no choice either.

Generals will stop soldiers when they come, and dams will stop floods when they arrive.

Aside from completing her missions honestly, what else could she do?

She couldn’t just open the window and jump out to end all her problems.

She was thinking about it when her phone suddenly vibrated.

She lowered her head and unlocked the screen, it was a message from Lu Si Jiao.

[Si Jiao]: Jie, how have you been lately? Have you been eating well?

[Si Jiao]: I won a scholarship again, I’ll treat you to some milk tea

[Si Jiao]: 【Red packet】

The small red packet interface showed up on the screen.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t open it, but her eyes were swimming with happiness.

Compared to her parents, this younger sister was even more able to make her feel that she still had a family.

As for the money, forget it, Lu Si Jiao who was still studying needed it more than her.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: That’s awesome, keep up the good work!

[Lu Zhi Wei]: No need for the red packet, you’re a student. Keep it for yourself, tell me if you need more money

Lu Si Jiao had thought it would go this way.

No matter what, Lu Zhi Wei wouldn’t take her money, even if it was just for a cup of milk tea.

When she gave her parents, they both took it.

She sighed, feeling like Lu Zhi Wei was still very formal. She wouldn’t even tell her what she was working as.

An ordinary job that could be seen everywhere.

What on earth was that kind of job……

Lu Zhi Wei saw that Lu Si Jiao didn’t reply, so she sent another message lovingly: “You still have class tomorrow right? Rest early, goodnight”, then she exited the chat.

At this moment, Ying Xi Ze came to look for her, asking if her shooting was going well.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Pretty good, pretty smooth

[Xiao Ying]: The crew members are all okay right?

[Xiao Ying]: Nobody bullied you right?

[Xiao Ying]: If anybody bullied you, let me know, I’ll rush there overnight to beat him!

Lu Zhi Wei laughed.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Then it would be too expensive for our Teacher Ying

[Xiao Ying]: It’s okay, Teacher Lu can reimburse me

[Xiao Ying]: 【Hehe.JPG】

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Okay, I’ll go take a bowl and beg for alms now. I should have enough for your travel expenses in ten or twenty years

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Wait for me!

[Lu Zhi Wei]: 【I’ll go beg for food to support you.JPG】

Ying Xi Ze immediately saved the expression and sent a photo to Lu Zhi Wei.

It was a black penguin toy with its eyes closed, lying under a lamp as if it was sleeping.

[Lu Zhi Wei]: You bought it?

[Lu Zhi Wei]: It’s pretty cute

[Xiao Ying]: I didn’t buy it, I got it when I was catching some prizes today. I only spent a dollar, how is it, aren’t I awesome!

[Lu Zhi Wei]: !!!!!

[Lu Zhi Wei]: Let me suck some of your luck!

Such powerful luck, no moment would be better than now!

She hurriedly called out after rubbing her phone: “Lao Wu!”

Lao Wu: 【?】 Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Lu Zhi Wei: “I want to draw a prize!”

Lao Wu was stunned: 【So suddenly?】

Lu Zhi Wei rushed him: “I just sucked Xiao Ying’s luck, hurry, while my own luck isn’t paying attention!”

Lao Wu felt this was funny, but he quickly helped to activate the prize drawing system.

Looking through her chat with Ying Xi Ze, she chose a number.

“I’m choosing two this time, not changing!

“I have a feeling, it must be two!

“Here I come, ‘the right to know’!”

Lao Wu looked at the screen as he sat in the control room, suddenly feeling nervous for Lu Zhi Wei.

The prize didn’t announce itself automatically. Even though only the administrator could see it, the system made them go through the prize unveiling process to enhance the effect.

The second prize was enlargened on the screen.

After a flash of golden light, the prize revealed itself.

Lao Wu looked at the prize: 【……】

He took off his spectacles and rubbed the centre of his forehead.

This luck was really…… terrible.

Lu Zhi Wei grabbed her bag and dumped everything out, then asked in anticipation: “How is it? Is it something good?”

Silence was all that replied her.

After a few seconds, she heard Lao Wu say: 【Mm…… At least you have something for supper tonight.】

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

Lao Wu: 【If you don’t want supper, it can work as breakfast. Or as lunch. It might be able to work for dinner too……】

Lu Zhi Wei: “……”

…… She had a bad feeling.

…

Sang Wan Ci walked out of the coffee shop, leaving behind a flabbergasted Qiu Luo.

At the entrance, she took out her phone and glanced at the time.

Then, she impulsively called Lu Zhi Wei.

It wasn’t considered impulse either, they had just talked about Lu Zhi Wei earlier after all.

The call connected quickly.

Lu Zhi Wei’s voice floated out: “Hello, Wan Ci?”

Her voice was clear, it was obvious she hadn’t slept yet.

Sang Wan Ci asked: “What are you doing?”

Lu Zhi Wei’s voice had a tinge of sadness.

“I’m cooking some midnight sadness[1] instant noodles.”

Sang Wan Ci: “??”

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

When she opened the lid of the instant noodle cup, Lu Zhi Wei was still speechless.

It turns out aside from the “$5 Lamborghini discount voucher”, there were other prizes that could make her even more speechless.

—— A cup of instant noodles, along with two sticks of ham.

The ham was even something given to her separately by Lao Wu because he pitied her.

But what was comforting was that Sang Wan Ci had specially delivered a scrumptious supper for her.

On such a cold, lonely night, there was a hint of warmth.

Sang Wan Ci sat on the sofa and picked up the book next to her casually, looking at Lu Zhi Wei: “If you’re not eating, then what did I bring the food for?”

Lu Zhi Wei said: “I’ll eat it all. After all, I’ve already made the noodles, it’d be a waste.”

Then she asked: “Why are you still out so late at night and not in your room?”

“Qiu Luo asked me to meet him.”

Sang Wan Ci opened the book distractedly.

Lu Zhi Wei frowned at that: “He can’t still be pestering you. Didn’t you already make it clear the last time, he still can’t understand?”

“It’s okay, he should have gotten it this time.”

Sang Wan Ci put the book down.

“Because I told him I already have someone I like.”

Lu Zhi Wei looked at her and asked curiously: “Didn’t he ask who it was?”

“He did.”

“Then what did you say?”

Sang Wan Ci looked up, right into Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes: “I said……

“It’s you.”

Lu Zhi Wei froze on the spot, still holding onto her cup noodles.

[1] 午夜伤心 – This is a play on a Chinese song, but yeah, just means midnight sadness.